1996 Chevrolet BERETTA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
31 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
96,224 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 31 complaints (16.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 16.1% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 6.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 6.5% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 5 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 5; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 4; Electrical System:Ignition: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 23 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 3 |
| 2000 | 11 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
1996: 3; 2000: 11; 2001: 4; 2002: 2; 2003: 6; 2004: 2; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10008253 · 2003-02-28 (February 28, 2003)
THE EXTERIOR PAINT ON THE HOOD, TRUNK, AND ROOF SHOWS SIGNS OF EXCESSIVE CHIPPING. THE PROBLEM IS ONCE A SINGLE CHIP OCCURS THEN THE PAINT PEELS ALL THE WAY AROUND IT. THE PEELING OF THE PAINT IS OUT OF CONTROL. IT IS RIDICULOUS AS THIS CAR HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT FOR 6 OUT OF 7 YEARS.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008253 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10023467 · 2003-06-20 (June 20, 2003)
HAVE REPLACE ALTERNATOR ABOUT SIX TIMES. MAKES NO DIFFERENCE AT TO OEM, MAKE OR DELCO AUTHORIZED DEALER. ALWAYS TEST GOOD BUT FAILS SHORTLY THEREAFTER WITH NECESSITY TO REPLACE BATTERY AT TIMES. HEARD IT WAS A DESIGN PROBLEM DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT BUT CAN FIND NO SUCH REFERENCE. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023467 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10023967 · 2003-06-29 (June 29, 2003)
ELECTRICAL PROBLEM; ALTERNATOR/ BATTERY BATTERY DISCHARGES WHEN A/C OR AIR COMPRESSOR IS RUN AT FULL POWER. HAVE HAD ALTERNATOR REPLACED (AC DELCO, NEW) TWICE IN PAST WEEK. ENTIRE SYSTEM HAS BEEN SCANNED AND NO CODES ARE PRESENT. REPLACED THE BATTERY AND STILL EXPERIENCING POWER FAILURE. ABLE TO RUN HEATER CONTROL ON FULL POWER, BUT UNABLE TO RUN A/C OR DEFROSTER ON FULL POWER (FAN/BLOWER CONTROL). *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10023967 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10032493 · 2003-08-08 (August 8, 2003)
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10032493 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10032499 · 2003-08-08 (August 8, 2003)
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10032499 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10050930 · 2003-12-22 (December 22, 2003)
MY 1996 CHEVROLET BERETTA HAS HAD CHRONIC LEAKING PROBLEMS AROUND THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD. FIRST IT WAS FROM VARIOUS BOLTS, THEN FROM THE MAIN GASKET EVEN THOUGH THE CAR ONLY HAS 75K MILES ON IT. I CALLED CAR SHOPS IN THE AREA AND EVERYONE I SPOKE TO SAID THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE GM 3.1L ENGINES. IT'S RIDICULOUS THAT THERE IS A FAULTY GASKET IN THESE CARS THAT COSTS ABOUT $600-800 TO REPLACE, BUT THERE IS NO RECALL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 76,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10050930 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10052046 · 2004-01-23 (January 23, 2004)
THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS STOPPED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WHEN HE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AND CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10052046 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10089031 · 2004-09-02 (September 2, 2004)
I HAVE A 1996 BERETTA Z26 3.1L V6 AND EVERY MORNING WHEN I GET UP AND GO TO WORK MY BACK BRAKES LOCKED UP ON ME UNTILL I GET THEM WARMED UP. AND MY ABS LIGHT STAYS ON IN THIS CAR ALL THE TIMES.ALSO SOMETIMES WHEN I HIT MY BRAKES I DONT HAVE ANY BRAKES THE FIRST TIME THEN I HIT THEM AGAIN AND THEY WORK I HAVE RECENTLY HAD BOTH FRONT AND BACK BRAKES REPLACED AND THIS DIDNT FIX THE PROBLEM THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM I FOUND OUT BY SURFING AND INVESTIGATING ON THE WEB. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 125,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10089031 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
98V027000 · Interior Lighting
Reported: 1998-02-17 (February 17, 1998)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR THE INTERIOR LAMPS TO COME ON UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE THE VEHICLES ARE BEING DRIVEN. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS."
Consequence: THE INTERIOR LAMPS COMING ON UNEXPECTEDLY COULD STARTLE A DRIVER CAUSING A MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE LAMP CONTROL MODULE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT.
NHTSA campaign record ↗